In brief
Kurdish forces in Syria alert of potential ISIS resurgences as U.S. support wanes amid ongoing military clashes against Turkey-backed groups, raising alarms about the safety of ISIS prisons.
The commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), General Mazlum Kobani, recently warned that recent U.S. decisions in Syria could create a dangerous vacuum that ISIS may exploit. The Kurdish forces have long been key allies in the fight against the Islamic State, managing prisons and camps for displaced people in northeastern Syria. However, as political tensions rise and the Assad regime faces challenges, these Kurdish fighters are facing renewed assaults from Turkish-backed militias.In recent clashes, the ongoing conflicts have forced the SDF to reallocate their fighters from guarding prisons holding accused ISIS members to the front lines. General Kobani emphasized the risks, stating that this shift could give ISIS and other militant groups the opportunity to regain power in the region. He said, “This leaves a vacuum behind that can be taken advantage of by ISIS and other actors,” highlighting his concerns for the future stability of northern Syria.
